Industry Optimism

Cindy Zimmerman

The chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association is excited about the developments in cellulose technology for the future of the ethanol industry.

Chris Standlee“And we fully believe that many of these technologies will in fact be proven to be economically viable on a commercial scale,” said Chris Standlee, who is executive vice president of Abengoa Bioenergy in St. Louis.

He says support from the US Department of Energy through research grants is definitely helping to speed the process along. “We are fortunate enough to be the recipient of a grant to prove our cellulose technology on a commercial scale in a facility that we are building in southwestern Kansas,” one of six grant-funded plant that are scheduled to be in operation by 2010.

Standlee says the recent article in Science challenges the ethanol industry to step up its efforts to make sure the public gets the whole truth about ethanol, not just part of the story. “Even the study itself acknowledges the greenhouse gas emissions benefits of the use of ethanol,” he says. It just makes assumptions about land use for biofuels production that “just simply are not true.”

As chairman of the RFA, Standlee is looking forward to the upcoming National Ethanol Conference in Orlando February 25-27, to celebrate success and look forward to the future. “We have record attendance this year as we’ve had virtually every year since the start of the conference,” he said. “We expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 2500 people to be attending the conference. It really is an exciting opportunity.”

More information about the National Ethanol Conference can be found on the RFA website.

Listen to RFA’s “The Ethanol Report” podcast with Chris here, or subscribe to it on “The Ethanol Report” blog.
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/rfa/ethanol-report-07.mp3]

Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, News, RFA

“Golden” Energy for the ‘Golden State’

John Davis

BTBT is getting a new solar power system for its Americas’ Headquarters in California. The new system will utilize a sun tracking system that’s meant to maximize the production of renewable energy.

BT has announced it has entered into an agreement to begin construction next month (March) of an approximately 500 kW-AC solar photovoltaic system for its North American corporate headquarters site, located in the City of El Segundo, California. Once the system is fully operational by late summer, BT expects to reduce carbon emissions by 642,000 pounds (291.2 metric tons) annually as well as decrease its overall power costs for the site in future years.

The solar power system is designed to maximize energy production, with the vast majority of the system’s approximately 2,000 solar modules mounted on top of a state-of-the-art, elevated single-axis tracking system to be installed above the site’s south facing parking lot. Once completed, the system will be among the largest of its type in Southern California and is expected to generate approximately 917,000 kWh per year.

According to Environmental Protection Agency figures, the solar power system is expected to reduce carbon emissions equivalent to removing 63 automobiles from operation for one year or planting 243 acres of trees or powering more than 150 average-sized California homes for 12 months.

Energy, Facilities, Solar

Conventional Wind

John Davis

RicardoCan you imagine the day when wind power is nothing special, just your average source for heating and lighting your homes? General Compression and Mechanology can. Both companies are teaming up with Ricardo, the Eco-Innovation Technology Company, to engineer and develop the technology and expertise to make wind power as reliable as conventional power.

Of the potentially large-scale renewable energy resources wind is perhaps the most universally available, as virtually every part of the earth’s surface experiences the natural force of the wind. However, as the wind is subject to the vagaries of the weather and as such is inherently unpredictable, wind energy has traditionally been seen as an intermittent source of electrical power.

General Compression’s proprietary Dispatchable Wind(TM) system carries the descriptive tagline ‘wind energy on demand’ because it decouples wind energy capture from electrical power generation by substituting the electric generators in its wind turbines with advanced compressor systems linked to a central high pressure compressed air reservoir at each wind farm. The reservoir acts as an energy buffer, storing compressed air which can be passed through an expander plant in order to generate electricity whenever it’s needed – not just when the wind is blowing.

Dispatchable Wind is based on the use of the innovative, high energy density Dragonfly(TM) compressor under development by Mechanology, Inc. Ricardo has been chosen by Mechanology to be one of its key product development partners to assist in developing the Dragonfly(TM) such that it will meet or exceed the rigours of round-the-clock operation with an expected life in excess of 20 years.

Energy, Wind

Last Survey Contest Reminder

Chuck Zimmerman

This is your friendly reminder and request to take our Domestic Fuel Reader Survey. There’s only about 12 easy questions so it will only take a minute and we’d really appreciate your participation.

We’re going to pick one lucky winner from all the people who participate in our survey for a brand new, personalized 4G iPod Nano.

The Official Rules here (Word doc). I thank you very much for participating!

Miscellaneous

NFU Gets Behind Renewable Energy Bill

John Davis

nfu.pngThe National Farmers Union is pledging its support to an energy bill seen as friendly to biofuels, while praising Democrat leaders who back the bill.

This story on CattleNetwork.com says National Farmers Union President Tom Buis lauded Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel for backing the bill designed to spark wind and biomass energy that will bring billions of dollars to rural areas. And the NFU is urging Congress to pass the legislation:

In a letter to Pelosi and Rangel, Buis stated NFU’s strong support for the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008.

buis.jpg“Not only does fostering renewable energy provide the opportunity for energy independence, it also provides a source for rural economic development that will significantly jump-start rural economies,” Buis said. “Two provisions of this bill, extending the Production Tax Credit and authorizing funds for the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, are essential.”

The legislation would extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for three years. “The PTC provides the most critical federal incentive to continue developing wind projects in rural communities,” Buis said.

The NFU has been a longtime backer of ethanol, biodiesel, and other ag-based fuels.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation

Governors to Discuss Energy Future

John Davis

natlgovassoc.JPGA clean energy future will be the main topic of discussion when nearly 50 governors from across the nation and several U.S. territories meet this weekend in Washington, D.C for the 2008 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting.

According to a press release on the group’s web site, biofuels will be a big part of the discussion titled “Securing a Clean Energy Future”:

Making the nation a global leader in energy efficiency, clean energy technology, alternative fuels use and energy research will be the key topic on the governors’ meeting agenda this year. In addition, governors will explore the future of the nation’s surface transportation policy and finance system, strategies for improving struggling elementary and secondary schools, long-term care challenges facing states and the role of traditional domestic energy in a clean energy future during four standing committee sessions: Economic Development and Commerce; Education, Early Childhood and Workforce; Health and Human Services; and Natural Resources. All four committees will meet Sunday, Feb. 24.

Saturday’s opening plenary session will provide an overview of NGA Chair Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Securing a Clean Energy Future initiative. During the plenary, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman will discuss states’ role in helping America achieve a cleaner, more independent energy future, and Jeffrey R. Immelt, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of General Electric Company, will talk about the role businesses can play in advancing energy and environmental innovation.

The discussion will last through Monday when Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey will talk to the group about developing and supporting alternatives to imported oil. Also, John Doerr, with Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, will speak about promising energy technologies and how states can help spur clean energy innovation.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Blender Pumps Now Available

Cindy Zimmerman

GilbarcoFuel pump supplier Gilbarco has introduced the industry’s first alternative fuel blending dispensers.

Gas PumpDesigned to blend ethanol or biodiesel with standard fuels, the new 3+1 and 3+0 blenders have Weights & Measures approvals. The alternative fuel blenders are part of the Gilbarco® Encore® S product line, which includes the industry’s most comprehensive selection of dispensers for alternative fuels.

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has been working with Gilbarco for several weeks to debut their first set of dispensers of this kind at a Colwich, KS station as part of the recently announced Kansas Flex-Fuel Pilot Program for higher blends of ethanol. The new dispenser will offer regular unleaded, E10, E20, E30 and E85. All ethanol blends above 10 percent ethanol are for flex-fuel vehicles only at this time. Dispensers are clearly labeled to signify which products are to be used in which vehicles, and carry the “e” brand on all ethanol blends.

Biodiesel, E85, EPIC, Ethanol, News

Alternatives Could Be Winners from $100 Oil

John Davis

With oil prices more than $100 a barrel, the big winners (besides the oil companies) from the price spike could be alternative energies… as people look for something other than pricey petroleum to meet their energy needs.

This story on CNBC.com features hedge fund and private equity consultant John D’Agostino’s thoughts on the issue:

The next wave of oil wealth will go probably go into alternative energy, says D’Agostino. Middle East investors are comfortable with longer time frames and can weather the volatility of this sector. Specifically, solar & wind names are most likely to benefit. In fact, I helped facilitate 3 deals between Abu Dhabi and alternative energy companies recently.

While D’Agostino believes the $100-plus oil prices won’t stay that long forever, prices will stay high enough long enough to help the alternatives, even in the long run.

Solar, Wind

Ethanol Pipeline to East Coast in the Works

John Davis

ethanolmap.jpg
What you see above could be the biggest boost to ethanol in this country: a pipeline that will move ethanol to the East Coast of the U.S. at a transportation cost on par to what petroleum now enjoys.

magellanbuckeye.jpgMagellan Midstream Partners and Buckeye Partners, both in the fuel transport business, put out this press release saying they are looking into a dedicated pipeline that could supply more than 10 million gallons of ethanol per day:

The pipeline would gather ethanol from production facilities in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota to serve terminals in major markets such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the New York harbor. The project, which preliminarily has been estimated to cost in excess of $3 billion, would span approximately 1,700 miles and would take several years to complete.

“The most promising liquid fuel alternative to conventional gasoline today is ethanol. But without an efficient means to transport ethanol from the Midwest to other markets, its benefits are limited,” said Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and a leader in promoting ethanol pipelines. “Having a dedicated ethanol pipeline running from the Midwest to the eastern markets will help bridge the gap between the Midwest and the East, aiding America’s energy security. So I applaud these two companies’ efforts and I look forward to working in Congress to support the development of such pipelines.”

“We believe the proposed pipeline is a unique and innovative solution to meeting the growing need for renewable fuels in the Northeast,” said Don Wellendorf, Magellan’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Pipelines have consistently been chosen over the years as the safest, most reliable and cost effective method for moving liquid fuels. The potential project would be a major step in bringing ethanol into the traditional petroleum infrastructure system.”

“Buckeye and Magellan are leaders in the pipeline industry and can play an important role in developing the infrastructure needed to efficiently meet the renewable fuels requirements of the recently enacted Energy Bill,” said Eric Gustafson, Buckeye’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This feasibility study will evaluate the possible use of existing right-of-ways and workforces as well as other synergies and resources that our companies have. Our goal is to develop a cost effective project that could deliver ethanol from the production hubs in the Midwest to the high demand areas in the Northeast.”

The feasibility study into the project could be done by the last half of this year.

Ethanol, Miscellaneous, News

Exhaust Could Power Cars

John Davis

Talk about your perpetual motion machine, researchers in Great Britain are looking at ways of capturing the exhaust from cars to power those very same cars.

Cardiff University, a longtime home to engineering research, has this press release about how it is taking the next step is renewable energy:

rowe.jpgProfessor Mike Rowe’s long term research interest at the Cardiff School of Engineering has been in thermoelectric generation – employing thermocouples to convert heat into electricity. The conversion technology is used in everyday applications such as controlling the central heating system or refrigerator temperature.

Now Professor Rowe aims to use this technology to generate electricity from the waste heat in vehicles.

Professor Mike Rowe, OBE School of Engineering, said: “The main interest in cars is to decrease the petrol consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. If you can utilise the exhaust heat you could replace the alternator. This would provide a 5 per cent saving in fuel straightaway.”

The release goes on to say that this technology is also being explored by American vehicle manufacturers.

Miscellaneous